What is the standard portfolio size?

graphicbreeze

graphicbreeze

Member
I guess this is directed towards employers more. Curious what size is standard for portfolio's that you expect from a grad when conducting an interview?

thx
 
graphicbreeze said:
I guess this is directed towards employers more. Curious what size is standard for portfolio's that you expect from a grad when conducting an interview?

thx
Click to expand...

From my experience I'd go for A3. Anything larger just becomes over the top and on a windy day you'll be unlikely to make it to their office doors :icon_biggrin:
 
I agree that A3 is the largest size folio you should take to an interview for a design job.

I would also spend a lot of time printing and preparing your folio pages. There's nothing worse than seeing a folio where the work has just been thrown together or badly presented.
 
As above. No standard size in reality - but think practicaly. You need - ease of use - not worry about space and positioning of your portfolio (or asking one of the panel to hold it!) - A3 is optimum (unless prospective employer has specified otherwise).

btw - Gareth (Dot Design), the Guardian - BIG well done!
 
As said, generally I think around A3 is a good size - not too big yet at the same time, allows ample space to showcase your work neatly without it having to be seemingly cramped in either.
 
I've used the white Muji A3 file pockets. Simple and clear! :icon_biggrin:

But now I keep an A2 portfolio because it is architectural works. I have supplement A5 booklets and maybe using an iPad for projected presentations.. :icon_tongue_smilie:

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Totally agree with everyone else. A3 with work presented well using the plastic pockets. If you can get one with pockets on the inside cover that'd be useful too, especially as your career progresses. You'll may find yourself working on material such as brochures which you want to keep intact and pull out for the interviewer (or for whoever) to flick through. I've always found this to work well for me.

I actually got my A3 portfolio at a bargain price on ebay a while ago. It looks professional, has the sleeves, a cool strap and those handy pockets. Being A3 it's perfect in size. In fact when I left a previous design job they gave me a leather bound A2 portfolio case for a going away pressie. Have to admit in the 4 years since, I still haven't used it because it's too big.
 
I have used an A2 portfolio in the past. Although it depends what you're doing, if I was looking for employment at a more digital agency and iPad 2 would do an awesome job (although perhaps out of a graduate's price range...). I've mounted stuff on foam board in the past and made custom boxes. Basically think beyond the 'standard', you've got to stand out and your presentation skills are very much part of it.
 
Size is not everything

As I was reading some of the articles on getting employed & some of the tools we use – e.g. ‘graphicbreeze’ size of portfolio [really like the box by the way - linziloop:icon_smile: ]. It reminded me of interviewing a couple of upcoming designers applying for work with 2 corporates I represented.

One fellow [still going & Very Good at that] wouldn’t come to our office. He would only meet at his local hotel. :icon_thumbdown:
He looked like he been on the razzle all night.
His Portfolio was large A2 and very intrusive as we sat in a hotel foyer.
The work was clearly excellent, but lacked congruence.
The presentation was quite hap hazard.

The point is simple I would use him today (I have sent him work) but his attitude and appearance was so amiss at the time we passed over him.
He obviously could produce the goods but my boss (the paymaster) would never have entertained him.

So be available, be presentable and be open.
Use a A3 size portfolio
Plan and organise to ‘yes’ demonstrate your strengths but be congruent. Segregate into sections of different ‘projects’ clearly.

So keep it clean, simple. You are selling yourself as much as your work.
 
Box portfolio's seem to be very popular at the minute. They're the kind that my tutors suggest to get because they're interactive and engaging as linziloop mentioned (and the price surely implies you're passionate about your work).
 
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